salvage
SAL-vihj
Salvage (noun) means the rescue of a ship, its cargo, or other property from damage or loss, or the property recovered this way. Example: “The salvage crew spent weeks recovering cargo from the sunken freighter.”
noun
1
The rescue of a ship, its cargo, or other property from damage or loss, or the property recovered this way.
"The salvage crew spent weeks recovering cargo from the sunken freighter."
"The company paid for the salvage of the oil tanker after it ran aground."
"Sold as salvage, the damaged cargo still fetched a decent amount."
verb
1
To rescue something from damage, loss, or failure, or to make use of what can still be saved.
"They managed to salvage a few photographs from the fire."
"The coach tried to salvage the team's season after a rough start."
"After the flood, volunteers helped residents salvage furniture from their ruined homes."
How to use salvage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo recover or rescue something (often from a wreck, disaster, or failure) that would otherwise be lost.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
salvage operation
salvage what you can
salvage yard
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Word forms
- Plural
- salvages
- Third person singular
- salvages
- Past tense
- salvaged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ crew spent weeks recovering cargo from the sunken freighter.
Etymology
From Old French sauver, "to save," ultimately from Latin salvus, "safe" — with the ending "-age" added in English.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for salvage
See all rhymes for salvage →Frequently asked questions
What does “salvage” mean?
The word “salvage” means the rescue of a ship, its cargo, or other property from damage or loss, or the property recovered this way. In plain terms, to recover or rescue something (often from a wreck, disaster, or failure) that would otherwise be lost.
How do you pronounce “salvage”?
“Salvage” is pronounced SAL-vihj (/ˈsælvɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “salvage” in a sentence?
Here is “salvage” used in a sentence: “The salvage crew spent weeks recovering cargo from the sunken freighter.”
What part of speech is “salvage”?
Depending on how it is used, “salvage” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “salvage” come from?
The word “salvage” comes from Latin. From Old French sauver, "to save," ultimately from Latin salvus, "safe" — with the ending "-age" added in English.
Is “salvage” a common word?
“Salvage” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “salvage” have?
“Salvage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the rescue of a ship, its cargo, or other property from damage or loss, or the property recovered this way.
What is the difference between salvage and recycle?
Salvage means to rescue something from damage, loss, or failure, or to make use of what can still be saved, often implying the item was at risk of being lost entirely. Recycle specifically means processing used materials so they can be made into new products, which is a narrower, more systematic process than general salvage.
What does 'salvage title' mean for a vehicle?
A salvage title is issued to a vehicle that an insurance company has declared a total loss, often after significant damage, but which has since been repaired or is being sold for parts or repair. The term draws on the core sense of salvage as rescuing property from damage or loss.
Can 'salvage' apply to situations other than physical objects?
Yes, salvage can describe rescuing non-physical things as well, such as salvaging a relationship, a reputation, or a failing project. In these cases, it means recovering something valuable from a situation that was heading toward failure or loss.
